Voice on Fire Blog

Lira the Amazing Pet Therapy Dog

The most amazing thing happened when Lira and I went to the hospital yesterday.  When we entered one of the patients rooms a lady in her  early seventies was lying in her bed.  Out her window you could see the Cascade mountain range even though it was a cloudy day.  She said, “Thank you for coming back.”   Lira hopped up into the chair beside her bed.  I remembered her from last week but this time she was awake. We sat there patiently listening while she told us her story.

She said last week she was unconscious while we visited with her husband for a bit.  She said she didn’t really know how to explain it.  She was emotional and tearing up.  She could barely talk she was so choked up.  We waited patiently.  She said she was unconscious during the visit but that she saw Lira  and that she knew she was going to live when she saw Lira.   I got goose bumps.  I  asked her if she would like Lira to lie beside her.  She said, ” oh yes!”  Lira laid beside her and put her head on her lap while the lovely woman and I talked.  She kept saying while she was gently petting Lira’s  head   “I knew I was going to live when I saw Lira.”  She kept saying “thank you  thank you  thank you for coming back.”   It was a very spiritual experience.

When we left, her husband hurried down the hall to ask us if there was a way he could donate to pet therapy.  I told him Lira was certified through Delta Society and gave him their card.  I told Lira that we should share these stories so that people know the benefits of pet therapy, encourage other people to participate in pet therapy with their special pets and that hospitals all over the country might want to bring pet partners into their facilities.

( Lira on her way to work )                                 ( Lira resting after a hard days work )

That special woman who was at deaths door the week before went home a couple of days after our visit.

Lira was so tired last night.  For some reason she was especially tired but happy and content.

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“Have a grrrrreat week everybody.  Love Lira “